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The Anticancer Efficiency of Citrullus colocynthis Toward the Colorectal Cancer Therapy

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Abstract

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major cause of death worldwide. Chemotherapy is associated with some side effects during CRC treatment. Hence, proper employment of lower toxic and approaches exerting lowest side effects are essential. The Citrullus colocynthis (C. colocynthis) seems a potential anticancerous herbal medicine (HM) against CRC mostly via various efficient compounds.

Methods

We performed a literature review regarding the anticancer traits of C. colocynthis against CRC. The possible active compounds, mechanisms, and combination therapies in vitro and in vivo or clinical trials have been also stated where found.

Results and Conclusion

The anticancerous effects of C. colocynthis has been via a variety of pathways including apoptotic pathways (increase in caspase-3 and inhibiting STAT3 function), antioxidant and anti-inflammatory (TNF-α, nitric oxide, and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1α) traits, inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and antiangiogenesis and antimetastatic effects. Future studies will be promising regarding proper application of C. colocynthis compounds following their extraction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy/Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq

    Manal Khalid Abdulridha

  2. Department of Biology, College of Sci for Women, University of Babylon, Hillah, Iraq

    Ali-H Al-Marzoqi

  3. Department of Biology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Abdolmajid Ghasemian

Authors
  1. Manal Khalid Abdulridha
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  2. Ali-H Al-Marzoqi
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  3. Abdolmajid Ghasemian
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Correspondence to Abdolmajid Ghasemian.

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Abdulridha, M.K., Al-Marzoqi, AH. & Ghasemian, A. The Anticancer Efficiency of Citrullus colocynthis Toward the Colorectal Cancer Therapy. J Gastrointest Canc 51, 439–444 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-019-00299-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-019-00299-6

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